Mounted Triangle

What it is

The mounted triangle is a triangle locked from the top: from S-mount, one leg goes over their shoulder and under the neck, the other locks it in place, and you can finish while still sitting on them or roll to your back to tighten it. It is the natural follow up when the armbar from mount is defended by gripping. One arm is inside and one outside, the same shape as the guard triangle.

When to use it

• From S-mount or high mount, when they clasp their hands to defend the armbar.
• When they push one arm up across your body from under mount and keep the other elbow tight.
• As a controlling position when you want to choke without giving up the mount.

How to do it

1. From high mount, isolate one arm: push it across their chest so it stays inside your leg while the other arm is outside.
2. Step your leg on the outside arm side over their shoulder and bring the back of your knee under their neck.
3. Fold the other leg over your own ankle to lock the figure four, with your toes pointed.
4. Pull their trapped arm across their body toward the far hip.
5. Lean forward or sit tall and squeeze your knees together to finish from the top.
6. If it is not finishing, roll to your back toward the free arm side, keep the lock and finish like a guard triangle.

Key details

• One arm in, one arm out, exactly as in the guard triangle.
• Lock the leg over the ankle, not the foot, so the lock stays tight when you move.
• Pulling the arm across is what closes the second side of the choke.
• Stay heavy from the top before rolling; most of the time it finishes without the roll.
• Tap early when you are the one caught. A choke works in seconds, and holding on only puts you to sleep.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: stepping over without controlling the arm. They pull the elbow free and bridge you off.
• Mistake: rolling to your back before the lock is set. You give up the mount for nothing.
• Mistake: squaring up instead of staying angled. The choke sits on the skull and they wait.

What they will try

• They tuck the trapped elbow back inside your leg before the lock closes.
• They bridge hard toward the locked leg while you adjust, to recover half guard.